Sixteen Stops

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

It was the day of sixteen stops.

1. Drop off.

   OLeif carpooled with Rose after succumbing to another massive migraine at 5:37 in the morning, Puck’s wake-up call. And a Resurrection Sunrise on the way in.

2. Shell Gasoline.

   Perhaps the only time in Collette’s life that she had ever needed to call an attendant at the fueling station, because the machine told her to do it.

3. Dentist.

   It was time for Puck’s very first visit to the dentist. An 8:00 appointment. And he did grand. Everything from hopping into the chair as his hygienist, Miss Stacey, instructed, putting on a pair of sunnies to shade from the bright light, keeping his mouth open as instructed for the brushing with the strawberry toothpaste, fluoride treatment, and x-rays (which he was, at first, not too interested in having done), and then a goody bag which included a two-minute timer filled with yellow sand (to use while brushing), a coupon for a free scoop of ice cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, and two items from the treasure chest (he chose two rubber bouncy balls). He was labeled ‘The All-Star Patient’. And he got a photo of himself on the happy-no-cavities-kids-smile-board, with a ridiculous grin.

   “Does he have a mohawk?” the receptionist asked on the way out.

   “He does. I just didn’t spike it,” Collette replied.

   “Aw. You should spike it and then bring him back and have his picture taken again. That would be so cute on the wall.”

   “Well,” Collette said to Puck as they drove off. “Did you like Miss Stacey?”

   “Yes,” said Puck seriously. “She’s a nice lady to have around.”

4. Drop off.

   Back to the house to drop off Puck to help feed the neighbor cats, watch Francis blow up giant smoke bombs, build bonfires, etc.

5. Pick up in Clayton.

   On the way out to the highway, Collette saw a large dark blue crate on a truck crawling slowly across the overpass. ‘China Shipping’ it read, and in Chinese characters.

   At the Brown Shoe Co., OLeif joined Collette in the hazy mild heat of the mid-morning.

6. Bank.

   Notary. The first attempt. No charge for parking, which was nice.

7. Drop off.

   OLeif back to work where he showed Collette the blinds of his window, where he had, at one time, adjusted it to make it appear as if eyeballs were staring out through the cracks.

   “What’s this about you being so busy all the time?” Collette asked him.

8. Secretary of State downtown.

   First attempt to apostille the final adoption document. No go. The notary had apparently not written the correct ‘language’ on the paperwork.

9. Pick up.

   Back to pick up OLeif and make three copies of the official document. Just to be safe.

10. Bank.

    Second attempt. The notary very kindly made up for them three different notarizations. Just to cover every possible base.

11. Lunch.

    Companion Bread. OLeif insisted on sustenance. He bought his favorite sandwich and split it for them: turkey, arugula, melted brie, and apple butter on a pretzel roll. That with ice water, pretty much satisfied any hunger cravings.

12. Drop off.

    OLeif back to work as the day began to heat up.

13. Secretary of State.

    Second attempt.

    “Sorry,” said the lady. “The notary shouldn’t have embossed this. And… yes, yes, he has the wrong stamp. It should say ‘St. Louis City’, not ‘St. Louis County’.”

    She was apologetic about the whole situation, but there was no third-trying for the day. Collette had to get back.

14. Target.

    Coffee. Milk. Two small metallic gift bags, one gold, one purple. And she found someone’s bankcard in the parking lot and turned it in.

15. The house.

    Puck seemed to have enjoyed his day, napped soundly, and was busy with Monsters Inc. His Playdough the previous day must have inspired him.

    And Francis shared that his braces were scheduled to be removed by Christmas.

16. New Town.

    It was time, finally, to see Uncle Clarence and Aunt Galena after two years. They had just finished dropping off Samwise and Schroeder at MIZZOU. So there was a pizza party going down at Uncle Hilario’s and Aunt Corliss’ place for the evening.

    A good chunk of the family was present. With the whole Martin Snicketts family was also: Grandma Snicketts, Blessing, Uncle Balthasar and Aunt Tuuli, Bristol and Nerissa with Starlight and Sunlight, and Travis and his girl, with Whisper.

    It was so good to have at least half of everyone together again. Uncle Clarence and Aunt Corliss talked of how the boys still considered them traitors for leaving St. Louis, which everyone thought was pretty funny. Puck played with the twins, saying, ‘Come on, baby! Come wiff me!’ And fortunately, he was never aware of the chocolate peanut butter bars and the iced cupcakes on the counter. They departed with expectations of meeting again in November at Esther’s wedding in which it had been decided that the bridesmaids would wear charcoal gray and the flower girls would wear bright yellow.